When people talk about members of the House of Representatives who are known for their depth of thought, the name Iowa Republican Congressman Steve King is not on the short list. Congressman King’s work in Congress tends to be focused in two areas: 1) The mean spirited, and 2) the trivial.

It’s a lucky combination, come to think of it, because if Representative King had more legislative skill, he might be downright dangerous. Steve King’s superficiality reduces his potential to be a bull in a china shop. Nonetheless, it is tragic to see Steve King bumbling around in Washington D.C.

Let me give a specific example. As everyone knows, the economy of the United States is in serious trouble. Inflation of the essentials for life, food and energy, is skyrocketing. At the same time, unemployment is up, and home foreclosures are at record-breaking levels.

So, what big idea does Congressman Steve King have to solve America’s economic troubles? Effective signage.

I’m not kidding. Congressman King could be joining with other members of Congress to propose serious economic measures to help Americans get through these hard times. Instead, he has written H.RES.1171 – a resolution to educate small business owners on the effective use of signs.

Steve King introduced this resolution to the floor of the House of Representatives two weeks ago, but has been able to get only one co-sponsor for the bill during that whole time: Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin of South Dakota.

The people of Iowa’s 5th congressional district deserve better representation than Steve King is able to provide.

For those who are curious, here’s the text of that resolution:

Congratulating the on-premises sign industry for its contributions to the success of small businesses on the occasion of its 62nd Annual International Sign Expo.

Whereas safe, creative, and effective on-premises signage has served as a primary catalyst to trade, commerce, and industry in America since the establishment of the Nation;

Whereas the on-premises sign industry generates thousands of manufacturing jobs that stimulate the economy and support the local, State, and Federal tax bases;

Whereas the on-premises sign industry in turn sustains the Nation’s vast retail industry by giving countless small businesses across the country an affordable and effective advertising medium through which they can communicate to potential customers about goods and services they offer, direct those customers to their places of business, and reinforce the memory of existing customers about their locations and the nature of their businesses;

Whereas thousands of manufacturers, users, and suppliers of on-premises signs and sign products attended the 62nd Annual International Sign Expo in Orlando, Florida, from March 26, 2008, through March 29, 2008;

Whereas there were nearly 600 companies at the Expo displaying nearly 2,000 booths of the most advanced and innovative sign products the on-premises sign industry has to offer to nearly 20,000 people from across the Nation and 97 countries across the world; and

Whereas this unique convergence of signage innovators, customers, and small business owners was a prime opportunity for educating the public about the critical role played by the on-premises sign industry in the Nation’s economy: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives–

(1) congratulates the members of the on-premises sign and sign products industry on the occasion of their 62nd Annual International Sign Expo; and

(2) encourages the on-premises sign industry to continue events such as the Expo to educate the small business community and the general public about the benefits of effective signage.